Neymar is close to a record-busting £198million move to Paris Saint-Germain

How Unai Emery will set his team up next season

And our friends at Football Whispers have taken a look at how PSG could line up in 2017/18.

GK – Alphonse Areola

The 24-year-old goalkeeper spent three season out on loan, the most recent of which with Villarreal in La Liga, before returning to the Parc des Princes to challenge Kevin Trapp for the No 1 spot last season.

Agile, good with his feet and confident in his handling, Areola made 16 Ligue 1 appearances last term and is ready to further stake his claim as the best keeper at PSG.

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Alphonse Areola, 24, will fight Kevin Trapp for the No 1 position

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RB – Dani Alves

A Manchester City transfer target this summer, Alves snubbed the chance to reunite with former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola at the Etihad in favour of signing for PSG on a free transfer.

Having excelled in the latter stages of the Champions League with Juventus last season, the 34-year-old veteran has already outlined his importance to his new club with a stunning free-kick in PSG’s 2-1 Trophee des Champions victory over Monaco.

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Dani Alves snubbed Man City and Pep Guardiola to move to PSG

CB – Thiago Silva

Stalwart of the PSG backline since signing from AC Milan in 2012, Silva’s tenure at the Parc des Princes looked to be nearing an end last term, with his contract winding down.

But, despite speculation linking him with a move to Juventus, the Brazilian committed to new terms with the Ligue 1 giants and will captain the team once again this season.

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Star centre-back Thiago Silva has recently signed a new deal to remain in France

CB – Marquinhos

The subject of Barcelona and Manchester United transfer rumours this summer, Marquinhos has been a hot property for some time. Now a regular in central defence since David Luiz returned to Chelsea, the 24-year-old is too important to PSG for the French club to consider his sale.

Fast, athletic and excellent on the ball, the versatile defender is the future of the Parisians’ back four.

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Marquinhos has grown into one of the best defenders in world football

LB – Layvin Kurzawa

Yet to fully convince since signing from Monaco two years ago, Kurzawa had been competing for playing time with former Ajax and Inter Milan full-back Maxwell.

But the veteran Brazilian retired in May, leaving the left-back berth to Kurzawa, who will have the chance to prove his worth in 201-/18 in hope of securing a place in France’s World Cup squad.

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CDM – Thiago Motta

Now 34, the Brazil-born Italy international showed signs of his powers beginning to wane last season, with his reaction time slowing down and his ability to cover ground deserting him.

But Motta remains a player of valuable experience with the know-how and technical quality to carry him on for another year or two. He will anchor the PSG midfield, allowing those further forward to express themselves - PSG also have Blaise Matuidi and Grzegorz Krychowiak as options, although they have been linked with exits.

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Thiago Motta remains a great shield in PSG's midfield, despite his advancing years

RCM – Marco Verratti

A Barcelona transfer target earlier in the window, it now appears Italian playmaker Verratti will be staying at the Parc des Princes and could soon sign a new contract with the club.

The gifted midfielder is among the best players in the world in his position. He had expressed his frustration at PSG’s inability to truly challenge for the Champions League, but Neymar’s imminent arrival should convince him that the club’s future prospects in the competition are much brighter.

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Marco Verratti had been linked with a move to Barcelona

LCM – Adrien Rabiot

A former Manchester City academy player, Rabiot is finally delivering on the promise he showed as a teenager.

The 22-year-old Frenchman was outstanding in PSG’s Champions League last-16 first-leg demolition of Barcelona last season, showing that he is capable of dominant performances against top-class opposition.

Rabiot will be looking to kick on again in the new season, further rounding out and developing his skill set – his headed winner in the Trophee des Champions marked a great start to the new campaign.

Angel Di Maria would have had this spot, but PSG will probably have to sell to comply with Financial Fair Play.

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Adrien Rabiot has finally delivered on the promise he showed as a teenager

LW – Neymar

He wants to leave Barcelona to escape the shadow of Lionel Messi and stake his claim for the Ballon d’Or. Neymar will come at great expense to PSG but he is a major coup nonetheless.

With 13 goals and 11 assists in La Liga last season, Neymar may not have been quite as prolific as in previous campaigns, but the work rate, consistency and determination he showed made 2016-17 perhaps his finest individual term.

His contribution to Barça’s miraculous remontada Champions League comeback against PSG might just have convinced the French club to get their chequebook out.

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Neymar now has the chance to step out of Lionel Messi's long shadow

RW – Julian Draxler

A January signing from Schalke, Draxler was outstanding during the run in last season, operating on the left flank and instantly becoming one of PSG’s most effective attacking players.

The arrival of Neymar could disrupt Draxler’s progress somewhat as the Brazilian is almost certain to claim the left-wing berth. The German’s versatility could see him switch flanks but manager Unai Emery will hope the move does not derail the 23-year-old.

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Julian Draxler impressed on the left-wing last season - but will have to make way for Neymar

ST – Edinson Cavani

Speaking of stepping out of shadows, Uruguayan striker Cavani thrived in centre stage for PSG last season following Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s departure.

The former Palermo and Napoli hitman bagged a stunning 49 goals in 50 games. With Neymar to supply him this season, the 30-year-old could quite feasibly beat that high-mark.

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Despite the criticism surrounding his finishing, Edinson Cavani managed to bag 49 goals in 50 matches last season